Nicola Sturgeon has said she has confidence whoever succeeds her will take Scotland forward to “bigger and better” days.

Speaking as, Ash Regan, Humza Yousaf and Kate Forbes announced they would be standing for the leadership, the First Minister said all three were talented.

Speaking to Radio Clyde, she said: “All three of these people are people I have appointed to my government in the past.

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“Two of them, Humza and Kate are currently in my cabinet, clearly there is an array of talent there.

“It is now for SNP members and the wider country to look in detail at what each of them has to offer. To scrutinize their position, their policies, their outlook on things and to make a judgement on that.”

Sturgeon said she would not be making any public comment or offer public advice or private advice in an unsolicited way.

However, she added: “My door will always be open to any of the candidates running and to my successor ultimately if they want that advice.”

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She added: “I have huge confidence that whoever succeeds me will take Scotland forward to bigger and better things.”

On the Gender Recognition Reform bill, which is set to be a key issue in the leadership contest, she said it has been passed by two-thirds of the Scottish Parliament.

She added: “I know its subject matter is contested and is controversial but there is a principle at stake here as well.

“Which is should, in any circumstances, no matter the subject matter, Westminster have the right to override the Scottish Parliament in a devolved area. My view is it shouldn’t.”